DVD-RW (8 cm) Digital Camcorders

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam DCR-DVD650 offers an all-in-one, on-the-go way to capture standard-def video and burn it to a DVD, but hard-disk-drive and flash-memory models are otherwise a better option.

Specs: Camcorder, Advanced HAD CCD, 60 x, Flash card, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm), 13.8 oz

The Bottom Line: The Hitachi DZ-BD10HA is the most hybrid of hybrid camcorders and still manages good video and photo quality. But it's also slow and expensive.

Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, 10 x, Mini BD-R, Mini BD-RE, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), Hard disk drive, 17.6 oz

The Bottom Line: If you can get past the DC50's sticker shock, you'll find a very nice, simple DVD camcorder that can produce some surprisingly good snapshots.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm), 5.39 megapixels, 16.9 oz

The Bottom Line: It doesn't have a lot of bells or whistles, but the Canon DC230's long lens and solid video quality makes it stand out a little from other inexpensive DVD camcorders.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm), 1.07 megapixels, 14.3 oz

The Bottom Line: Though the Canon HR10 is a decent camcorder, there are better choices for the same money because format performance and compatibility issues make it hard to recommend a DVD-based AVCHD model.

Specs: Camcorder, CMOS, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm), 1.2 lbs

The Bottom Line: The Panasonic VDR-D310 produces good-looking home movies without much hassle.

Specs: Camcorder, 3CCD, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: As a relatively inexpensive DVD camcorder with solid, though not remarkable, performance, the Panasonic VDR-D210 is a decent choice for video snapshooters.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 32 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm), 0.46 megapixels, 1.1 lbs

The Bottom Line: A simple DVD camcorder with decent performance and image quality, the DC220 won't blow you away, but it also will not let you down.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 35 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-R DL (8 cm), 0.68 megapixels, 14.3 oz

The Bottom Line: Hitachi had a good idea--put both a hard disk drive and a DVD in a camcorder--but implements it poorly in the DZ-HS300A.

Specs: Camcorder, CCD, 25 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD-RAM (8 cm), 15.3 oz

The Bottom Line: The Sony Handycam HDR-UX1 is a very nice camcorder; unfortunately, its myriad compatibility issues make it almost impossible to recommend over other similar models.

Specs: Camcorder, ClearVid CMOS, 10 x, DVD-R (8cm), DVD+RW (8cm), DVD-RW (8 cm), DVD+R DL (8cm)